23 Easy Irish Phrases To Blag Your Way Through Paddy’s Day

Paddy’s Day is a great excuse to brush up on your Gaeilge and have the chance to feel wildly patriotic as the whole world celebrates our tiny island’s heritage.

Here is a full list of the most important phrases you’ll need. Learn them, use them, and watch the faces of your friends and potential love interests go green with envy. 

(Or face paint. Whatever.)

1. Dia dhuit a chara

(dee-a gwit a hara)

Hey you!

2. Ní fhaca mé le fada thú

(nee ock-a may le fod-a hoo)

I haven’t seen you in donkey’s years

3. Aon scéal agat?

(ane shcale og-ut)

Any craic?

4. Beidh dhá phionta Guinness agamsa, más é do thoil é

(bye gaw fiunta Guinness og-um-sa, moss ay do hull ay)

I’ll have two pints of Guinness, please

5. Cén t-am a thosnaíonn an pharáid?

(cain tom a huss-nee-ann on fa-raid)

What time does the parade start?

6. Turasóirí lofa

(tur-ass-ore-ee luffa)

Bloody tourists.

7. Sláinte!

(slaw-n-cha)

Cheers!

8. Croí folláin agus gob fluich!

(cree full-on og-us gub fluck)

A healthy heart and a wet mouth!

9. An bhfuil meaisín bainc gar don áit seo?

(on will mash-een bank gar dun aw-ch shu)

Is there an ATM near here?

10. Ortsa an cheann seo, a chara

(urt-sa on cyon shu)

Your round, mate.

11. An bhfuil Coppers ar oscailt go fóill, meas tú?

(on will Coppers air us-calt gu foal, mass tue)

Do you reckon Coppers is open yet?

12. An bhfuil toitíní agatsa?

(on will touch-een-ee og-ut-sa)

Do you’ve any smokes?

13. Tá sé/sí feichte agam ar Tinder!

(taw shay/shee feck-he og-um air Tinder)

I’ve seen him/her on Tinder!

14. I bhfad níos fearr ar líne

(i wad niece far air leen-a)

Far better on line.

15. Íocfaidh an fear seo as gach rud

(eek-ee on far shu oss gock rud)

This lad is paying for the lot.

16. Ar mhaith leat damhsa liom?

(air wha lat dow-sa lum)

Howsabout a dance?

17. An bpósfaidh tú me?

(on bose-ee tue may)

Will you marry me?

18. A thaircais, tá sé cúig a chlog ar maidin

(ah heer-cash, taw shay coo-ig a clug air modjin)

Ah here, it’s 5am.

19. Conas a tharla sé sin?

(cun-iss a harla shay shin)

How did that happen?

20. An bhfuil aon deochanna fiosaí fágtha?

(on will ain juck-anna fissy fog-ha)

Any mixer left?

21. Lá fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh!

(law ale-a paw-drig sunna deev)

Happy Paddy’s day everybody!

22. Beidh mise tinn amárach…

(bye misha teen am-aw-rock)

I’ll be sick tomorrow…

23. ‘Dia duit, a cheannasaí. Ní bheidh mé ag obair inniú mar gheall ar éigeandaíl chlainne…’

(dee-ah gwit, a cyan-ass-ee. Nee v-eye may egg ubar inn-ewe mar ya’ll air ay-gon-dawl clinn-ya)

‘Hi boss. I won’t be in today because of a family emergency…’

READ NEXT: 17 Things Tourists Should Know Before Coming To Dublin For Paddy’s Day